JDCA Responds to President Trump’s Address

WASHINGTON– Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) Executive Director Halie Soifer issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s address to the nation.

“The facts simply do not support the president’s assertion of a national security crisis at our southern border. To the extent there is a crisis in our country, it is one of the president’s own making given the grave economic, security, and social impact of his unnecessary and dangerous government shutdown.

The president lacks the credibility to be taken seriously by the American people on this matter, and we strongly reject his ongoing disregard for the truth. If the president was actually serious about ensuring our national security, he would reopen the government immediately and ensure salaries are provided to the tens of thousands of TSA airport security officers, law enforcement and corrections officers, Customs and Border Patrol officers, and other vital U.S. government employees affected by the shutdown.

Essential government programs, including food assistance for American families and children, are in jeopardy and 800,000 Americans are either working without pay or not working at all. This government shutdown is a political crisis created by the president, and an abdication of his fundamental responsibility to govern.

JDCA calls on Republicans in the Senate to immediately vote on the funding bills passed by the House and take every measure to re-open the government. To do anything else at this time — including passing legislation that sidesteps this vitally important issue – is the height of irresponsibility and an unconscionable betrayal of American values.”